North Carolina DMV Permit Test Right of Way, School Buses, and Emergency Vehicles Summary

At an intersection without signs or signals, a vehicle already in the intersection goes first. When two vehicles arrive at the same time, the vehicle on the right has the right of way.

Wrong choices

• The vehicle on the left: The driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
• The faster vehicle: Speed does not give anyone the right of way.
• The larger vehicle: Vehicle size does not give anyone the right of way.

On a two-lane road, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading. Stay stopped until the stop arm is withdrawn, the red lights are turned off, and the bus starts moving.

Wrong choices

• Slow down and pass carefully: You may not pass a school bus showing its stop arm.
• Stop only if children are in the road: You must stop whether or not you see children; they may run out suddenly.
• Keep going, because only traffic behind the bus must stop: On a two-lane road, traffic in both directions must stop.

When an emergency vehicle with lights and siren approaches from ahead or behind, drive to the right-hand curb or edge and stop completely. Stay stopped until it passes or an officer tells you to move.

Wrong choices

• Keep driving at the same speed: You must yield and stop, not keep driving.
• Stop in your lane right where you are: Stopping in the lane can block the emergency vehicle.
• Speed up to get out of its way: Speeding up is dangerous and does not clear the way.

When one driver goes straight and the other wants to turn left, the driver turning left must wait until the turn can be made safely. The driver going straight has the right of way.

Wrong choices

• The oncoming car: The oncoming driver going straight has the right of way.
• Whoever arrived second: Arrival order does not change this rule.
• Neither; both may go: Both going at once would cause a crash.

On a four-lane roadway without a median separation, traffic from both directions must stop for a school bus that is loading or unloading.

Wrong choices

• Keep going, because there are four lanes: Four lanes alone do not excuse oncoming traffic; a median or center turn lane on a road of four or more lanes does.
• Slow to 15 mph and pass: You may not pass at any speed while the bus shows its stop signal.
• Stop only if you are in the lane closest to the bus: All lanes in both directions must stop on this kind of road.

On a divided highway of four lanes or more with a median, only traffic following the bus must stop. Oncoming traffic on the other side of the median may continue with care.

Wrong choices

• Stop until the bus moves: Oncoming traffic does not have to stop on this kind of divided highway.
• Stop and then pass at 10 mph: There is no rule to stop and then pass at 10 mph.
• Pull onto the median and wait: Driving onto the median is unsafe and not required.

On a highway with at least two lanes in your direction, you must move into a lane that is not next to the parked emergency or service vehicle and stay there until safely past it.

Wrong choices

• Keep your lane and speed: The law requires you to move over when you have two lanes going your way.
• Stop beside the emergency vehicle: Stopping in the lane is not required and can cause a crash.
• Honk to warn the crew: Honking does not protect the crew.

On a two-lane road with a center turning lane, traffic from both directions must stop. On roads of four or more lanes with a median or a center turning lane, only traffic following the bus must stop.

Wrong choices

• A divided highway of four lanes with a median: On a divided highway of four lanes with a median, only traffic behind the bus stops.
• A road of four or more lanes with a center turning lane: On four or more lanes with a center turning lane, only traffic behind the bus stops.
• A divided highway of six lanes with a median: On a divided highway of six lanes with a median, only traffic behind the bus stops.

When you exit a private driveway, you must stop and yield to all other vehicles and pedestrians before entering the street.

Wrong choices

• Enter quickly if you see a gap: You must stop first, not just look for a gap.
• Yield only to vehicles, not pedestrians: Pedestrians on the sidewalk also have the right of way.
• Honk to warn traffic that you are coming out: Honking does not give you the right of way.

Everyone in a roundabout travels counterclockwise, to the right around the center island. Drivers entering yield to vehicles and bicycles already in the roundabout.

Wrong choices

• Clockwise: Driving clockwise would put you head-on with traffic.
• Either way: All traffic must go the same way around.
• Whichever way is shortest to your exit: You must go around the circle counterclockwise even if your exit is to the left.